Greatness
Scott McKinney
October 29th, 2023
“I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” —John 14:12
The “greater things” is the disciples taking the good news to the
“These men are turning the world upside down.” —Acts 17:6
We see the greatness of Paul in three ways.
First- Paul had a purpose in life worth pursuing.
“You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.” —Acts 20:18-20
“My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” —Acts 20:24
Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren- Page one- “It is not about you.”
Paul has a purpose that impacts
“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” —Acts 20:21-24
Paul went to Jerusalem to bring money to help feed his enemies.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:43-45
Second- Paul loved differently.
Everybody loves people that love them. Paul loved his enemies.
Paul loved while never backing away from the
Third- Greatness is measured by what you give away.
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” —Acts 20:32
Paul gave the ministry away.
“I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” —Acts 20: 33-35
Paul didn’t want something from people.
He wanted something
Study Questions
Read Acts 20:18-21
What does this passage tell you about Paul’s purpose in life?
What would you say is your purpose in life?
Read Acts 20:22-24- Paul is going to Jerusalem (where he has many enemies) to bring financial relief to the poor. How does bringing relief to the poor help with the “task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Read Acts 20:28
According to this verse who does the church belong to?
How should that impact the way that pastors shepherd the church?
Look at these words from Acts 20:30- Paul says that wolves work their way into the flock “…in order to draw away disciples after them.”
-What does this say about the motivation of those that Paul describes as wolves?
-How can shepherds protect the flock?
Read Acts 20:31-35- What was Paul’s greatest gift to the Ephesian Church?
What is the greatest gift you have ever been given? What is the most important gift you have ever given?
Read Acts 20:37-38
-What made it so hard for these church leaders to say goodbye to Paul?
-What is the hardest goodbye that you have ever had to say to anyone?